Chapter 12 – MacGonangall's secret
The rest of the week went by fast for Harry. Saturday was Gryffindor's first Quidditch match of the season and it was against Slytherin. Ron had the double practice on Tuesday and Thursday just to go over several plays that Ron had thought of during lunch. When Saturday morning arrived, all the Gryffindors had different displays of Red and Gold all over them. Colin Creevy had painted his face gold and red, and made a sign the said 'Go, Denis, go!' , while Parvati Patil wore an enchanted t-shirt with and an animated lion biting the head off a snake. Harry had always loved the morning of a Gryffindor Quidditch match and this was the first official one he got to play since Umbridge's ban on him last year. He felt giddy just getting changed for the game. Unfortunately, Neville was anything but giddy; he was actually a few shades paler than normal. He saw Ron trying to calm him down as everybody made his way to the pitch.
"He's a goner." Ron said to Harry as they entered the Gryffindor locker room.
"He'll do alright." Harry said in half assuring voice.
"Maybe, as long as he hits the Bludger in the right direction." Ron said.
Once the team had made it out onto the pitch, the roar of the crowd was amazing. Harry had felt that the Gryffindors were yelling extra loud to see him back. They could also be yelling for Ron who miraculously won the Quidditch Cup for them last year. Nonetheless, it felt good to here the cheers. Even Neville seemed to be comforted by it.
The game started quickly after Madam Hooch released the Snitch. Draco shadowed Harry early on.
"Playing the lazy seeker again, huh Malfoy?" Harry said irritated by Malfoy's proximity.
"I am just trying to stay away from Longbottom," Draco sneered, "the way he is flying, I would bet that he is going to take someone out."
Harry could see that Neville was having a hard time keeping up with the Bludgers. The few times he did connect, he sent Bludger across the pitch to Slytherin's goal or close enough to a Slytherin player that it made them go of course. It was thirty minutes into the game and the score was still zero to zero. Ron had been successful to block all of Slytherin's attempts at goal. However, Ginny, Dennis, and Semus were a lot less successful in trying to make a goal. Harry knew that the only way this game was going to go anywhere is if he caught the Snitch, but, Malfoy stayed close by. Harry flew close to Ron when the action was at Slytherin's side of the pitch.
"Malfoy is tailing me!" Harry whispered.
"Hmmm, ok, look when I give you a signal, act like you have seen the Snitch and buzz right pass Neville." Ron whispered back.
"What?"
"Trust me, just wait for my signal." Ron smiled.
Harry had flown back to the center of the pitch watching the action. With a close save, the Slytherin's keeper sent the Quaffle halfway across the pitch. Harry saw Neville and Ron discussing something as Ginny intercepted the Quaffle.
"Look Harry the Snitch!" Ron shouted pointing passed Neville.
For a moment Harry looked, but then realized this was Ron's signal. With tremendous speed Harry raced toward Neville. Harry saw that Neville was bracing himself; he realized that Neville was going to block Malfoy. Harry then knew that it was what Ron had planned after noticing Ron was closing his eyes, waiting for Neville and Draco to crash. Malfoy flew directly behind Harry and could not see Neville a hundred yards in front of them. Harry then stood on his broom, like he did in his first game. Neville's face showed Harry that he understood what was coming next. Neville began to speed toward Harry. Malfoy could now see Neville coming closer. Draco must I'm nuts to have a head on collision with Neville, Harry thought to himself. Just a second before Neville and Harry met in mid- air, Harry jumped as high as he could from his broom, high enough to go over Neville's head. His broom magically flew under Neville, and caught Harry at the bottom of his arch. A loud thud occurred behind Harry, then a great cheer burst from the Gryffindor stands. When Harry turned around, he caught the sight of Malfoy falling off his broom and onto the sanded ground below. He could see that Malfoy wasn't badly injured, but definitely out of commission for the rest of the game. Harry looked at Neville who was rubbing his shoulder. With a look of pain across Neville's face, "Boy, did that feel good."
Harry had to laugh, he knew how sticking it to Malfoy was pleasure only a few had. "Excellent block," Harry smiled, "He is going to feel that for days."
"Thanks…hey Harry there's the Snitch!" Neville shouted excitingly, pointing past Harry's shoulder.
Harry quickly turned and sped toward the illusive Snitch. The Snitch flew in a straight forward pattern, easy enough to catch with a Firebolt as your broom. Harry reached out his hand and closed it around the Snitch and then held it up high.
"Harry Potter has caught the Golden Snitch!" Madam Hooch bellowed. "Gryffindor wins! 150 to 0!"
The Gryffindor stands erupted. The rest of the team came over to congratulate Harry.
"That was a great catch, Harry!" Dennis cheered.
"Awesome block, Neville." Semus added.
"Yeah thanks." Neville said, still rubbing his shoulder. "It was Ron's idea."
"Well, Harry needed to get Malfoy off his tail..." Ron smiled, "…and I thought Neville would like a chance at Malfoy. He was up for it."
"Yeah, it felt nice watching Madam Pompfrey take Malfoy back to the castle." Neville joked.
By then a crowd of Gryffindors surrounded them patting each player in the back, shaking their hands, and cheering. Harry could see that Neville was not used to the attention, he was blushing bright red.
The Gryffindor house was up very late partying from the day's victory, Ginny managed to sneak a load of sweets and butterbeer in. "The twins would be proud." Colin Creevy said to Ginny as he helped her unload the sweets. Hermione listened to Ron as he explained his strategy to help Harry out of his Malfoy situation. All Hermione could say during his explanation, was that they should add that to their play book.
"What play book?" Ron asked after his longwinded speech.
"Well I started one, I been putting plays that you have taught the team since practice started."Hermione answered.
"T—that's cool." Ron said with an impressed look on his face.
"Well, what should we call that play between Neville and Harry." Hermione said blushing.
"Um, call it the Longbottom Block, we will start incorporating it into our practices." Ron said looking over to Neville who was pouring himself and Parvati Patil a mug of butterbeer.
Harry enjoyed the rest of the night. He had planned to do his school work late Sunday morning and meet with Lupin tomorrow evening. It was nice to play a proper game of Quidditch, Harry thought to himself as he drifted to sleep.
It was early Sunday evening as Harry headed up to the Room of Requirements. Harry had a quiet Sunday, mostly catching up on schoolwork with Ron. As he entered the Room of Requirements, Remus was already there waiting for him.
"Great game yesterday." Remus smiled.
"You were there?" Harry asked.
"I arrived yesterday to help Dumbledore with some Order stuff, I stayed the night in the staff house." Remus answered.
"Why didn't you say hi?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore wants me to keep a low profile, especially from the other students." Remus said.
"Oh, ok, but if you want to, I am sure the Gryffindors wouldn't mind you at our house."
"Well… maybe, shall we start," Remus said approaching Harry, "They say time is galleons."
"Sure." Harry said preparing his mind.
"Ready?" Remus said raising his wand, "Legilimins."
Harry felt his mind being attacked, he held off Remus for as long as he could, but then his mental wall broke. He could see Neville chasing after his toad Trevor in his first year…Ron and Hermione arguing over Scabbers and Crookshank in their third year… he could see Dumbledore dancing with Madam Maxime at the Yule Ball. Then Harry fought back, he didn't want Lupin to go any further. He could feel that he was blocking Remus again and then he began to see Remus's memories. Remus as a toddler was playing with a puppy…then he was dancing with a girl at what looked like the Yule Ball during his time at Hogwarts…then Remus was standing next to James, Sirius, Lily, and Dumbledore while a baby was being christened, Harry noticed another woman in this memory, but her face was hidden. Just then Harry was brought back to the real world and Remus looked slightly dazed.
"That was good Harry, your defense is getting better." Remus said softly.
"Was that my christening I saw?" Harry asked Remus.
"Yes, yes it was." Remus said coming out of his daze.
"Who was that other woman, I couldn't see her face." Harry asked.
"That was your godmother, she is…" Lupin thought for a moment, and when he began to speak, he mumbled something unintelligible.
"Who?" Harry asked more curiously.
"She is mmbleblea…" Lupin said strangely.
Harry had thought he was going deaf.
"That is odd." Remus said out loud.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I know who it is, I can see her no problem, but the image was hidden from you…" Lupin said. "… and I can't say her name out loud, I can't reveal her to you."
"Why not?" Harry asked more confused.
" I think I know why, I think someone made her identity as your godmother a secret. That is some complex magic, a variation of the Fidelius Charm I believe. Only one person I can think of that could do that…"
"Dumbledore!" Harry and Lupin said at the same time.
"Let's go!" Lupin said leading the way to Dumbledore's office.
They quickly raced out of the room toward Dumbledore's office. As they were passing the Transfiguration classroom, Harry had notice Professor McGonagall, Hermione, Ron, and Dumbledore chatting by McGonagall's desk.
"There in here." Harry whispered to Remus.
"Remus!" Hermione shouted Harry and Lupin entered.
"Ah yes, I was expecting you two?" Dumbledore said amusingly.
"You knew we were coming here?" Harry asked.
"Well no, but this seems to be a good place to start?" Dumbledore smiled.
"To start what?" Ron asked confused.
"Well, we are here to ask about that mysterious lady that was at Harry's christening and why I am not able to tell him who she is." Remus stated.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
Harry had told them what had happened in the Room of Requirements and that they had some questions for Dumbledore?
"Yes, I felt that you were trying to unlock that memory, that is part of this particular Fidelius Charm. It alerts me when someone attempts to discuss its secret."
"What secret?" Ron said even more confused?
"Who is my godmother?" Harry said sternly, looking at Dumbledore.
"Well, it is not for me to say…" Dumbledore said before being cut off.
"Its Ok professor, its time for him to know." McGonagall said standing up. "I should have said this long ago."
"Said what?" Harry asked.
"I'm your godmother Harry." McGonagall said quietly.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were all shocked into silence. Harry looked at her strangely for a few moments before he began to speak.
"Why hadn't you told before?" Harry asked.
"It's a long story, Harry," McGonagall said, "When your mother came to school here, she hadn't a clue about the Wizarding world. Her relatives that were wizards and witches were distant relatives. So, after a few weeks of classes, she was slipping behind in her Transfiguration work. I had her come after classes so I could help her catch up. Same with Mr. Weasley here." She said looking down at Ron.
"It wasn't hard to see how delightful a witch she was, and how determined she was to learn as much as she could about wizarding. She was full of questions, so bright eyed, much like Ms. Granger. By the end of the year, she was tutoring several other students herself. We grew to be more than just student and professor, but quite good friends. I found myself reliving my school years through her, especially the time she punched your father in the nose. Trust me he deserved it." Lupin and Dumbledore began laughing at the memory of it.
McGonagall continued, "She graduated with top honors in Transfiguration and several other subjects. She was one of my brightest students and by that time a dear friend. She stayed at my flat in London while you father trained with the aurors. I was at her bridal shower and in her wedding party, and she was at each of my birthday parties since leaving Hogwarts. I never had children Harry, and she was the closest thing to a daughter that I have ever known."
"Then why did you keep it from me?" Harry asked in almost sounding hurt.
"Oh, it was not because of you, or Lily…" McGonagall said in a comforting motherly way. "…How can I explain this? There was one other student I had felt this close to before, so proud of…but he was not like your mother after all. It was my last year at Hogwarts, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after Hogwarts. After athe first few weeks, the headmaster at the time asked me to take a first year under my wing. He too was completely at a lost when it came to the wizarding world. I grew fond of his eagerness to learn and his ambition. I was so young back then, I was fool. I thought of myself as his big sister, a protector. By the end of my time as a student at Hogwarts, he was easily the first in his class. That inspired me to go into teaching. As I went to Professors College, we corresponded through owl, and I would visit him occasionally. He was quiet, but funny. I should have known, I should have seen through his lies."
"You could not have known he would turn out that way, his journey to darkness was only slowed by your friendship." Dumbledore said reassuringly.
"Who? Who are you talking about" Lupin asked?
"I didn't know Harry…I was young…it was all an act…" McGonagall said in shame.
"Its ok Minerva." Dumbledore said placing his hand on her shoulder.
Harry was astounded to see that Professor McGonagall was now beginning to cry. Dumbledore comforted her by placing her head on his shoulder. "Tell him, Minerva, he will understand, he has some of Lily in him." Dumbledore whispered.
"I—t…was Tom Riddle." McGonagall sniffled. Lupin, Harry, and Hermione all gasped in unison.
"Who?" Ron whispered to Hermione.
"Voldemort." Hermione whispered back.
"O—h, yeah I forgot."
Harry thought for a moment before speaking. "I—I know whose side your on, so why would this prevent you from telling me in the first place."
"After seeing Tom rise as V—Voldemort and cause so much pain, I could only blame myself, why couldn't I see this evil in him. I swore to not treat anyone special again, to be stern but fair. No one was going to fool me again. B—but your mother was the first student in a long time that got passed that wall. I was so happy with our friendship. B—but after V—Voldemort killed James and Lily, I couldn't allow myself to be close to my students, well not until you three came to Hogwarts…"
"That's what she calls close, taking points off Gryffindor left and right?" Ron whispered.
"Shut up you insensitive prat." Hermione growled.
"I—I felt guilty of letting the man I befriended in my youth, helped him learn about his powers, and supported through his education, kill one of my dearest friends. How could I look you in the eye and let tell you I am your godmother Harry. I am unworthy of being the godmother to Lily's child. I asked Dumbledore to keep that from you, and to hide any memory of it..." McGonagall said tearfully.
By this time Hermione too was crying, and Dumbledore had a look of concern on his face toward McGonagall. Lupin and Ron were surprised with all the information. Harry was surprised at first, but then knew that McGonagall was always kind to him. She was stern, but he always felt that he was one of the privileged few to see her gentle side every now and then. If his mother felt that she was fit to be his godmother, then that was enough for him. He walked over to McGonagall and gave her a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Professor." Harry started. "I know it was hard for you to tell me this, but I appreciate it. I don't care if you were friends with Tom, I only care that your were friends with my mom. I would like to hear more about how my mother was through your eyes…I hope you still want to be my godmother, I would like that."
"Oh, Harry, of course, I will be your godmother, but don't expect me to be lenient on your Transfiguration work." McGonagall said with a smile. " And Mr. Weasley I expect better work from you now that I have given Hermione an outline on how to tutor you. Merlin give her strength."
"I suggest you three to head back to your house, and please keep this between us." Dumbledore smiled. "Remus, would have time for some tea?"
Dumbledore escorted Remus and McGonagall toward his office. McGonagall gave a nod to Harry before she exited and he nodded back. To Harry, Professor McGonagall seemed to have had a huge weight of lifted off her shoulders.
"That was very interesting." Ron said walking on Harry's right.
"Could you imagine holding all that in…in front of you…all these years?" Hermione asked walking on Harry's left.
"Well, I am glad its out." Harry said, "Its good to have a fairy Godmother on your side."
"She is not a fairy."
"Forget it Ron, just an expression." Harry smiled.
